UK Web Accessibility LawsThe United Kingdom’s online accessibility regulations are built on the Equality Act 2010 (or the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland). The requirements came into force in 2018, after the implementation of the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations.
As the UK government states, “All public sector websites and mobile apps should now be accessible.” These regulations apply to public sector bodies that include:
- Central government and local government organizations
- Some charities and other non-government organizations
The Accessibility Regulations stipulate the international
WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standardized requirement. Public sector bodies are also required to publish an accessibility statement that clarifies how accessible their website or mobile app is, and what accessibility issues it may still have.
As for the private sector, Equality Act 2010 notes that service providers, including businesses and organizations, are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure individuals with disabilities can access their services. This includes ensuring that websites and digital content are accessible to people with disabilities.
Although “reasonable adjustments” is ambiguous, we recommend you remediate your website against WCAG 2.1 guidelines to avoid any legal risk and to open your doors to the large population of individuals living with disabilities.
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